Temporary Outdoor Patios: Burlington City Council approves bylaw amendments and program changes to encourage economic recovery during COVID-19

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*Please see below a media release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — June 19, 2020 — At Burlington City Council on Thursday, June 18, Council approved bylaw amendments to allow temporary patios on private property.This is part of the City of Burlington’s reopening response to the COVID-19 virus while protecting its staff and residents. The temporary bylaw was passed to help local businesses operate during these unprecedented times and protect public health and safety.Temporary Use Bylaw and Bylaw to Regulate Temporary Patios to support COVID-19 relief - PL-38-20The City is eliminating regulatory, normal process and cost barriers to permitting temporary patios for the rest of 2020 to make it easier for temporary patios and temporary outdoor retail sales areas on private property. The streamlined application process includes guidelines to help businesses complete the application.Downtown Temporary Patios to support COVID-19 relief - PL-37-20The City is also temporarily suspending the Pop-Up Patio Program for 2020. This is to allow more inclusive, flexible patios and the use of municipal space downtown to support COVID-19 Relief. These measures include:

  • Extending the 2020 patio season to Jan. 1, 2021 and
  • Waiving the cost to use municipal lands
  • Extending the program across the downtown

To support this, Council passed a motion to make necessary street modifications where there are typically high numbers of applications for outdoor patios, specific to Brant Street, John Street and Lakeshore Road.Staff are extending the call for an Expression of Interest for the use of municipal lands downtown, effective immediately. There will be no deadline and expressions of interests will be considered over this year’s patio season.How to apply for a temporary patio

  1. Contact the City’s Special Business Area Coordinator: jenna.puletto@burlington.ca or 289-983-6308
  2. You will need your landlord’s approval if on private property
  3. Know your existing and proposed capacity information.

Staff are here to assist you with the application process and are committed to get Burlington businesses back in business.For more information or to submit an expression of interest, Contact the City’s Special Business Area Coordinator: jenna.puletto@burlington.ca or 289-983-6308Burlington is ranked as Canada’s best community and best place to raise a family. It is a City where people, nature and businesses thrive. As residents continue to rediscover many of their favourite spaces and activities in the city, City services may look different as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19. The City’s commitment to providing the community with essential services remains a priority. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at Burlington.ca/Enews and download the free City of Burlington app.MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:These initiatives will help our restaurants and retail businesses across Burlington open today as we move into Phase 2 reopening. Our staff have cut red tape to expedite permits in record time, and I’m pleased Council unanimously approved my amendment to waive any fees. Businesses have asked the City what we can do to assist them during this pandemic — this is one way we can help. Special thanks to our staff for getting this done quickly, and to our COVID-19 Task Force members for raising this issue, leading to action.RELATED LINKS:

—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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